The Salvation Army Chatham

Readers of this week’s Monday Spot will already know that our Band (Bandmaster Carl Woodman) visited Sheffield Citadel Corps last week-end. Tuba player Bev Hudson, in reflective mood, has sent us this report of the activities.

Bev Hudson Carl Woodman

As I walked my little dog ‘Bonnie’ along the Darland bank, the sun shining from a clear blue spectacular sky, I couldn’t help but think that it was good to be alive and to enjoy God’s creation of the countryside.

I also thought about the previous two days, where I, and the rest of the Band, had enjoyed a lovely week end in the company of like-minded Christians in a most beautiful part of Yorkshire as we visited the Sheffield Citadel Corps of The Salvation Army. We were made most welcome and the friendliness of the local people was clearly evident.

After a fantastic three course meal [chicken and all the trimmings] we engaged in our first prayer meeting of the weekend, led by Rosemary Steadman-Allen. This enabled us to focus on our purpose for the weekend, most of the time in silent personal prayer.

For the Saturday evening programme the hall was full of people who had come to hear the band and this provided the extra impetus that helped us play well. From the opening number, Fanfare Prelude “Praise Him”, the band demonstrated that the time spent in rehearsal had paid off. Adrian Horwood’s Euphonium Solo “Brillante” was played exceptionally well, as was the band’s presentation of Eric Ball’s “Exodus”. Greg Davis’ personal testimony and the ‘Praise and Worship’ session led by Richard Craik added additional vital ingredients that balanced this SA festival. The music of Sheffield’s most notable band composer – Wilf Heaton – was featured in “My Master’s Will” where the words ‘At Thy feet I bow adoring’ spoke clearly and movingly to those who listened [and played!].

At 9.45am on Sunday, members of the band were accompanied by a number of local salvationists and the second prayer meeting of the weekend took place. This was led by Bev Hudson who reminded everyone that the theme for the weekend was “How do we know we are saved?” and “What assurance do we have that we have salvation in our hearts?” Fanny Crosby’s song “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine” was featured.

The morning meeting was led by Songster Leader Adrian Horwood and Band Sergeant Tim Scott gave the Bible message. Geoff Groom explained in his testimony how, after the death of his wife and through hearing the words “I have not much to give thee Lord”, he re-dedicated himself to God. Fittingly the band presented “Redeeming Love” by Tom Rive.

The open-air meeting

The march
Two short open air services were led by Jeremy Davis whose voice was well projected in spite of not having the assistance of a loud speaker system. The band played a couple of ‘marches’ as they puffed their way uphill on their way back to the hall. Some of us are not as young as we once were!

In the afternoon festival, the Trombone section was featured in “A Fanfare of Praise” and “From that sacred hill”, Adrian Horwood in the Euphonium Solo “Travelling Along”, and David Lockwood in the Trombone Solo “Sing a Happy Song”. It never ceases to amaze the writer how some players can change from one instrument to another with so much ease. David from Bass Trombone to Tenor Trombone, even playing a solo with many notes well above the stave, and Jeremy Davis from Bb Cornet to Eb Soprano Cornet. Well done guys!

The Bible address was given by Allan Jones which included an ‘invitation’ essentially based around the song “I’ll follow Thee”.

The last two musical items of the weekend had a significant impact on many who listened. Dudley Bright’s masterful meditation “The greatest of these” brought great blessing to many and “The Irish Blessing”, featuring some fine ensemble playing, provided a lovely thoughtful conclusion to the weekend.

Sheffield Citadel Songsters and both Young People’s sections gave wonderful support throughout the weekend.

From the interactions between the visitors and the visited, it is clear that the band’s ministry was successful in that many expressed enjoyment about our visit and, more especially, that they had been blessed by our ministry. Praise God!

We are grateful to Bev for this encouraging report and to our Band for its continuing effort to proclaim the Gospel.

If you would like to know more about the Chatham Citadel Band please contact us or, better still, come and hear the band in rehearsal or as it provides music for worship in our regular services. Your will find details of times in ‘2 week diary‘